Whew! - what a weekend.  Friday night was the Triad (Midlife Crisis, Wassap Wit Dat!, and Odds and Ends) blog party.  Lots of fun as usual.  Not all that many O&E bees, but they'll just have to work their way back up the hive.    Mahalo Jack for the cakes and Anklebiters for the omiyage.

Then on Saturday night, Paula and I attended a wedding.  Our close friend's daughter got married - Congratulations Shana and CJ! But this also was the first wedding we've attended that was for the next generation.  MLC Reality Check.

I remember when the Cherry Blossom contestants were acquaintances that we knew from school, socials, or nightclubs.  Now they're are acquaintance's daughters.  MLC Reality Check.

"Age is just a number" so we keep telling ourselves, but we can't stay in denial when it comes to events - like our friends "children" getting married.

I think back at our wedding and all my father-in-laws friends that were there.  Is that now us?  MLC Reality Check.

Attending graduations of our friend's kids should've been a subtle hint - but we attend graduations almost every year.  So many people graduate every year.  Friends, cousins, nieces and nephews, colleague's kids.

But to attend a wedding - of the next generation...

MLC Reality Check x 2.

So, we had to do something to feel good about ourselves.  Immediately after we left the wedding, we headed to Waikiki to dance the rest of the night away at The Beat.  A charity event put on to benefit the Kaleoaloha Keiki Choir.  Soulz and Powerhouse was rockin' the house.

Since we got there almost an hour before it was scheduled to end, we had some catch-up dancing to do - plus we wanted to work off the food from that wedding buffet.  Here's a few pics:

Dancing off the buffet dinner

Karen, me and Paula

Paula, Annie, Roy, and me

Special mahalo to Irwin and Suzi for hooking us up.  And as always, thanks Irwin "Superman808" Santos for allowing me to use your pictures.

"Lois and Superman808"

To check out more pictures of The Beat, click here and look for the links in the second post:  Supes Cam and Osurman's Cam.

But back to the MLC Reality Check...

Okay, so we're growing older - but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop, right?

If you were at the Triad party, you would've seen Sally and Paula doing "air poi balls" (similar to air guitar) to NKHEA singing Masese.  And opso belting out Billy Idol. 
MLC Reality Check (NOT)

Maybe because Thanksgiving is coming up, we tend to reflect on where we are in life - and feel thankful that we've made it this far.  Of course we hope we're living our "midlife" and have another whole half-life (at least) to live.

So as this Thanksgiving holiday rolls around, take a moment to pause and think about how far you've come and how many lives you have touched - and how many lives have touched you.

I know it's a bit corny, but if you want - go ahead and leave a comment or two about things you're thankful for.  Just think of it as an MLC Reality Check.

Live your life in chapters - it's easier that way.

I remember reading that phrase a long time ago.  And I try to live by that saying.

Well, this past Saturday, Paula and I attended a wedding of my ex-sister-in-law.  Wait, I don't like the sound of that because she is anything but an "ex" to Paula and me.  Let's call it a wedding of my brother's ex-wife.  (NOT Rod's Big Bro, btw).

The wedding was in honor of Diane and Barney.

It was a nice, simple wedding at a church, then a reception at the Mandalay Chinese restaurant.  There wasn't a cake, or a slide show, or a mobile-disco, or the first dance, or the throwing of the bouquet and garter belt, or even a head table situated on a stage.  It was just a nice time for everyone to share a meal with the newly wedded couple and fellowship with each other.  There was however, the traditional banzai and mabuhay toasts - for good luck.  And Diane and Barney went to each table for a toast - which I thought was so classy.

But before I get to the main part of the story, first a little background.

Since I was around 5 years old, I attended Kailua Christan Church - from when it was held in the classrooms at Kailua Intermediate School until later in the newly built church on Manono street.  I attended that church until I was around 16 years old.  And I did visit the my old church about 18 years ago when I attended a wedding there, but that was it.

Well, at the wedding this past Saturday, Diane and Barney mentioned that some of the people at the wedding were from Kailua Christian Church.  I immediately looked around, but didn't recognize anyone.  Then a girl on the next table waved at me.  I waved back and went to talk to her.  I shamefully admitted to her that I didn't recognize her and she told me that she was Lenora.  When she told me her name, then I recognized her and gave her a hug.  It must be about 35 years since I last saw Lenora.

As we were talking, she said she's still active with the church and runs the Youth Group there.  Then she pointed out the other table where other church members were and named a few: Mr. and Mrs. Terada.  Mr. and Mrs. Nemoto.  I immediately recalled those names.

A little later when the Nemotos were about to leave, I went up to them and introduced myself.  Of course they looked older, but when Mr. Nemoto heard my name and had a big shock on his face, I instantly recognized his personality.  And Mrs. Nemoto's too.

Then I went over to the table were other members were and introduced myself to Mr. and Mrs. Terada.  Again, their personalities struck a chord in my memory banks and suddenly I remembered the names of their children.  We chatted for a bit while Lenora came over to join in the conversation and we caught up a little bit on what we're doing, how the family is doing, etc.  And I was even invited to stop by the church to join them in worship.  Even if it's just for Christmas or Easter service.

Then as we parted ways and said our good-byes, I somehow felt young again - with a warm glow in my heart.

As we were driving home and I was telling Paula about the people I had just met up with again, I said it was like I just revisited an old chapter in my life.

Many times, visiting the old stomping grounds or hearing an old song will take you back in time.  But I just learned that seeing old acquaintances can conjure up old memories too.  And that although people's looks change, their personalities remain true.  And it's those personalities that become recognizable.

So I want to thank Diane and Barney for the opportunity given to me to revisit a closed chapter in my life.  And knowing that I can always find a place to go to revisit it once again.

And congratulations to Diane and Barney as you both start a new chapter in your lives as husband and wife.  I wish you both much love and happiness.

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Have you ever had the opportunity to revisit previous chapters in your life?  Maybe a high school reunion or a retirement party of a place you worked a long time ago.  Have you ever not recognized someone until they spoke to you and you immediately knew who they were just from their personality or demeanor?  I suppose as MLCers, we have a lot of chapters we can revisit.